How Do I Check SQL Server Logs? A Troubleshooting Guide

In this blog, we’ re going to learn how do I check SQL Server logs using the top 2 methods. We are pretty much sure that SQL users can easily get the perfect solution after reading this entire post. However, readers must stay focused while reading the blog to avoid any challenges.

SQL Server logs, also referred to as SQL Server Error logs, contain a range of messages including informational, warning, and critical errors. While some of these logs can be viewed in the Windows event viewer, it’s advisable to rely on SQL Server logs for comprehensive and detailed information.

Table of Contents

How do I check SQL Server Logs? Manually

The two manual methods to check SQL Server Logs using the SSM and fn_dblog with their detailed steps.

Using SQL Server Management Tool (SSMS)

If the user wants to check SQL Server log files manually, then the first method is used of SSMS.

Steps to follow

First, open MS SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) on your computer.Now, connect with the Server windows comes. Enter the SERVER NAME and Type of Authentication. After that, click on Connect.In the Object Explorer option, navigate to the Management option to investigate and read the log file.Now, move to SQL, Server Logs option.Right-click on SQL Server Logs and select view >> SQL Server sequentially.Lastly, check the SQL log file shown on the log file window. Users can choose other logs like SQL Server Agent, and Database Mail from the left side to check their data.

Using Undocumented fn_dblog()

Create a database name as ‘ EMP’ . Let’s see the value first using the following command

SELECT * FROM EMP.

After that change the table data using the UPDATE command, for this run this query.

UPDATE EMP SET DEPARTMENT = ‘ IT’ WHERE EMP_NAME = ‘ RAM’

Now, repeat the view command using the SELECT command. Now, changes can be seen in the modified table

Execute the fn_dblog function according to the requirements.

Select [Begin Time], [Transaction Name] from fn_dblog(null, null) where [Transaction Name] = ‘ Update’

Lastly, check the logs such as insert, update, etc. by executing this query

SELECT [Begin Time], [Transaction Name] from fn_dblog(null, null)

Drawbacks of Manual Solutions

The main limitation of the manual solution is that it requires in-depth knowledge of SQL commands.A manual solution is time-consuming and does not give instant results.The chance of data loss is very high in manual solutions, so the users need to work carefully on it.

How do I check SQL Server logs With Ease?

If all manual solutions mentioned above do not work, then users can switch to the automated solution such as SysTools SQL Log Analyzer. It efficiently and quickly allows the users to check complete SQL log transactions without any difficulty. The tool analyses the SQL transactions log i.e. LDF file to detect any vital changes in the database records. The software is best for Forensic investigation and tracking all the transaction history of the user’s database in full detail with login credentials of SQL Server. It restores the changes in the database back into MS SQL Server.Â

The software opens, analyses, and reads all the MS SQL transactions like Insert, Delete, Update, etc. It supports all the MS SQL Server database versions like 2022, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008, and 2005 versions of the LDF file. The tool exports SQL data files in three different ways such as CSV File, SQL Server database, and SQL Server Compatible Script. All Windows Operating Systems are fully supported by this tool, like (11, 10, 8, 7, and XP) with both 64-bit and 32-bit versions. It works both online and offline versions of SQL Server.

Follow these steps to check SQL Server logs

Download and launch the application program on your computer.Now, click to open and add the LDF/MDF file to the program.Select the option to add a file to the software, like Online DB and Offline DB.Preview all the scan objects like records, deletes, updates, and inserts.Now, hit the export button and check all the SQL logs.

Conclusion

The article covers the two manual methods to check SQL Server Logs using the SSM and fn_dblog with their detailed steps. These manual methods are time-consuming and complex to use, while a small mistake can lead to an error. So to avoid complexity and errors, we recommend using automated and secure software.

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